Tacoma: All risk, no benefit to methanol plant

Allow me to weigh in on the debate/discussion/decision that our City Council seem so intent on authorizing – the methanol plant on the Tideflats.

First, let me thank the president and CEO of the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County for his presentation (letter, 1-17) on how the methanol plant would be good, not only for our economy, but for the world overall.

Consider the amount of water needed to run such a modern, environmentally friendly plant; the danger a new, untested design; and recent evacuations of neighborhoods in California because of a “small” methane leak (with an undetermined time, if ever, the residents can return to their homes).

If China wants this new technology to make more plastic to resell to the United States, then it needs to take the risk of exposure and overwhelming costs of operation - not Tacoma.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Tacoma: All risk, no benefit to methanol plant."